Allegri's Napoli suffer worst start in 17 years as tensions rise
Quick summary
Massimiliano Allegri's tenure at Napoli has begun with their worst start to a season in 17 years, with tensions reportedly building around the club.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceNapoli are off to their worst start to a season in 17 years under Massimiliano Allegri, and tensions are reportedly simmering in the dressing room.
According to Tuttosport , Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at Villarreal left Napoli with four losses from their first eight competitive games, alongside three wins and a draw. Only Roberto Donadoni’s side in 2009-10, who lost four of their first seven, have started worse, and Allegri’s men are yet to win two games in a row.
The defeat in Spain also brought spats on the pitch and visible frustration between teammates.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 13: Luiz Junior of Villarreal CF gets to the ball before Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and SSC Napoli at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 13, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Allegri’s Napoli suffer worst ever Champions League start In Europe, the picture is even bleaker. Napoli have made their worst Champions League start in club history, with no points and just one goal. Their strikers have scored only five of the team’s 11 goals in all competitions, a poor return on roughly €200m spent on the attack.
Allegri’s own European record is under scrutiny too. He has lost eight of his last nine Champions League matches, and his last win came in October 2022.
Tuttosport estimates Napoli need at least 11 points from their remaining six league-phase games to reach the top 24, starting with Bodø/Glimt.
First comes Saturday’s trip to bottom side Venezia, where Kevin De Bruyne is expected to start on the bench after playing every minute of the last two games.
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What happened
Napoli, under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, have produced their worst opening to a campaign in 17 years. The poor results have reportedly increased friction within the squad and between the coaching staff and club hierarchy. The situation raises fresh doubts about Allegri's fit in Naples following his summer appointment, with pressure mounting just months into his reign.
Chance analysis
A historically poor opening stretch for Napoli has put Allegri under immediate scrutiny, despite the club's decision to hand him the job only months ago. When a club of Napoli's stature endures its worst start in nearly two decades, the spotlight shifts quickly to the manager and the dressing-room dynamics. How Allegri and the board navigate the next stretch of fixtures will shape the narrative around whether this project has any room to recover or whether a change is already being weighed behind the scenes.
Napoli face a crisis of confidence and growing internal tension that is likely to affect their short-term form and tactical stability.